Busbudthe coach booking platform for city-to-city trips around the world, has compiled a list of five Christmas experiences that are not to be missed.

1.       Kerstcircus, The Netherlands

Rotterdam’s annual Kerstcircus is a great event for anyone looking to party their way through the festive season. Kerstcircus is held between 18 – 30th December at Rotterdam’s Ahoy Theatre and showcases circus acts from around the world, including China, Mongolia and Africa.

2.       Winterfest, Scotland

Although Glasgow’s Winterfest stretches into January, the main event is on 13th December, when attendees can enjoy the Santa Dash, a Santa costume-clad 5km charity run, as well as live entertainment.  Throughout the festival, you can enjoy outdoors ice-skating and traditional Christmas market stalls, as well as screenings of Christmas movies at the weekend.

3.       Mt Pilatus, Switzerland

To enjoy the snowy backdrops that epitomise a traditional White Christmas, hop on the world’s steepest cogwheel railway and visit the top of Mt Pilatus. Here lies Switzerland’s mountaintop Christkindlimärt with all of the traditional stalls and festive music. A fun twist to this market are the dashes that take place by sled, air board or snow-bike to the bottom after snow falls.

4.       Tivoli Gardens, Denmark

This is the ultimate Christmas market, but with a twist. For a small admission fee, visit the Christmas market with the backdrop of the amusement park to rival Thorpe Park. Enjoy all the rides, as well as the entertainment put on by Tivoli Boys Guards Christmas Band and elf-clad Danes.

5.       Padstow Christmas Festival, UK

Get your fill of the best Christmas goodies at the UK’s biggest free food festival, Padstow’s Christmas Festival, which is being held from the 4th—7th December this year. Sample the cuisine of many celebrity chefs, including Cornwall’s own Rick Stein, as well as live cooking demonstrations, a spectacular fireworks display and live music.